A system and method for providing a satellite vend operation. A first (parent) vending machine is operable to dispense a product from a product storage display area located in a second (child) vending machine. The first (parent) vending machine can control or interact with the functions of the second (child) vending machine. A programming menu on the first (parent) vending machine is automatically configured for a satellite vend operation when the first (parent) vending machine pairs with the second (child) vending machine. An operator is provided, in the programming menu located on the parent vending machine, relevant information associated with the child vending machine and relevant information associated with the parent vending machine.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection, as filed with the USPTO.
1. A vending machine system comprising: a first vending machine capable of controlling the functions of a second vending machine; and the second vending machine configured to dispense a product from a second vending machine product area in response to commands received from the first vending machine, wherein the first vending machine is configured to automatically configure a programming menu when paired with the second vending machine, wherein the first vending machine is further configured to detect when the second vending machine is in proximity to the first vending machine.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the second vending machine transmits menu configuration information to the first vending machine.
3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the first vending machine and the second vending machine communicate wirelessly.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first vending machine is configured to pair with the first vending machine automatically.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first vending machine transmits commands to the second vending machine to dispense the product.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first vending machine operates vending components within the second vending machine.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first vending machine and the second vending machine communicate wirelessly.
8. An apparatus for vending products to a consumer, the apparatus comprising: a product storage area; a computer readable medium; and a plurality of instructions wherein at least a portion of the plurality of instructions is storable in the computer readable medium, and further when a first product is selected, wherein the plurality of instructions is configured to cause the apparatus to: automatically configure a programming menu to enable control of at least one function of a child vending machine, control the at least one function of the child vending machine, and detect when the child vending machine is placed in proximity to the apparatus.
9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the apparatus is configured to receive menu configuration information from the child vending machine.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the apparatus and the child vending machine communicate wirelessly.
11. The system of claim 8 , wherein the apparatus is configured to pair with the child vending machine automatically.
12. The system of claim 8 , wherein the apparatus transmits commands to the child vending machine to dispense a product from the child vending machine.
13. The system of claim 8 , wherein the apparatus is configured to store vending operation information regarding the child vending machine.
14. The system of claim 8 , wherein the apparatus is configured to wirelessly communicate with the child vending machine.
15. A method for vending products, the method comprising: detecting when a child vending machine is placed in proximity; receiving configuration information from the child vending machine; configuring a menu automatically, wherein the configuration information is used to configure the menu; and providing the menu for programming a satellite vending system wherein a parent vending machine controls the functions of a child vending machine.
16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising automatically pairing with the child vending machine.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein receiving the configuration information comprises receiving the configuration information wirelessly.
18. The method of claim 15 , further comprising transmitting commands to the child vending machine to dispense a product from the child vending machine.
19. The method of claim 15 , further comprising storing vending operation information for the child vending machine.
20. The method of claim 15 , wherein receiving the configuration information further comprises receiving the configuration information wirelessly.
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March 5, 2009
April 10, 2012
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